Numbers

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The fourth book of Moses, called Numbers, chapter 24, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 24

New English Translation

Balaam Prophesies Yet Again1 When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go as at the other times to seek for omens, but he set his face toward the wilderness. 2 When Balaam lifted up his eyes, he saw Israel camped tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came upon him. 3 Then he uttered this oracle: "The oracle of Balaam son of Beor; the oracle of the man whose eyes are open;4 the oracle of the one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, although falling flat on the ground with eyes open:5 'How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, and your dwelling places, O Israel!6 They are like valleys stretched forth, like gardens by the river's side, like aloes that the LORD has planted, and like cedar trees beside the waters.7 He will pour the water out of his buckets, and their descendants will be like abundant water; their king will be greater than Agag, and their kingdom will be exalted.8 God brought them out of Egypt. They have, as it were, the strength of a young bull; they will devour hostile people and will break their bones and will pierce them through with arrows.9 They crouch and lie down like a lion, and as a lioness, who can stir him? Blessed is the one who blesses you, and cursed is the one who curses you!'"10 Then Balak became very angry at Balaam, and he struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, and look, you have done nothing but bless them these three times! 11 So now, go back where you came from! I said that I would greatly honor you; but now the LORD has stood in the way of your honor."12 Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not also tell your messengers whom you sent to me, 13 'If Balak would give me his palace full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD to do either good or evil of my own will, but whatever the LORD tells me I must speak'? 14 And now, I am about to go back to my own people. Come now, and I will advise you as to what this people will do to your people in the future." Balaam Prophesies a Fourth Time15 Then he uttered this oracle: "The oracle of Balaam son of Beor; the oracle of the man whose eyes are open;16 the oracle of the one who hears the words of God, and who knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, although falling flat on the ground with eyes open:17 'I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not close at hand. A star will march forth out of Jacob, and a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab, and the heads of all the sons of Sheth.18 Edom will be a possession, Seir, his enemies, will also be a possession; but Israel will act valiantly.19 A ruler will be established from Jacob; he will destroy the remains of the city.'"Balaam's Final Prophecies20 Then Balaam looked on Amalek and delivered this oracle: "Amalek was the first of the nations, but his end will be that he will perish."21 Then he looked on the Kenites and uttered this oracle: "Your dwelling place seems strong, and your nest is set on a rocky cliff.22 Nevertheless the Kenite will be consumed. How long will Asshur take you away captive?"23 Then he uttered this oracle: "O, who will survive when God does this!24 Ships will come from the coast of Kittim, and will afflict Asshur, and will afflict Eber, and he will also perish forever."25 Balaam got up and departed and returned to his home, and Balak also went his way.

King James Version

1 And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.3 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:4 He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:5 How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!6 As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters.7 He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.8 God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.9 He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.10 ¶ And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.11 Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.12 And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,13 If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?14 And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.15 ¶ And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:16 He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.18 And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.19 Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.20 ¶ And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever.21 And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock.22 Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.23 And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!24 And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.25 And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.